Brodies has opened a new office in Brussels as well as expanding its pensions practice.

It becomes the first Scottish law firm to have an office in the Belgian city with the venture being led by Mark Clough QC and Christine O'Neill.

The firm hope the move will help to give Scottish businesses a direct line to the heart of European Union policy.

Bill Drummond, managing partner, said: "Our decision to establish an office in Brussels reflects our commitment to responding to the needs of our Scottish client base and the recognition that policy direction means that the work of the European Commission will have an ever more direct impact on both corporate and public sector activity in Scotland.

"By giving Scottish businesses access to Scottish lawyers directly involved in, and attuned to, the work of the EU institutions we hope to help our clients contribute to the future growth and prosperity of the Scottish economy. We also believe it is important to have an operational base in central Brussels where clients can both meet with our lawyers and access all Brodies know-how on the same basis as in our three main Scottish offices." In a separate move Brodies has hired two senior lawyers for its pension team.

Juliet Bayne moves from Maclay Murray and Spens to become a partner with Nigel Watson leaving Addleshaw Goddard to take up a director role.

Both will be based in the Edinburgh office.

Drummond added: "We are delighted that new colleagues of such a high calibre are joining the team at Brodies, bringing with them a wealth of expertise that will enhance the corporate services that we offer.

"Juliet and Nigel are regarded as true experts in their respective fields and I am sure that their extensive knowledge of how best to manage pension schemes and establish tax-efficient employee benefit arrangements will be of real value to employers for whom these matters are a high priority in the current economic climate as they seek to retain and incentivise key personnel."